TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -Two former state House speakers are hoping a new initiative can help Northwest Florida rebuild from the massive storm.
The new Rebuild 850 initiative is intended to encourage investment from businesses and others while boosting volunteer participation.
Backers hope it will help keep people from forgetting the Panhandle beachfront and rural communities devastated by the Category Four hurricane.
Former House Speakers Will Weatherford and Allan Bense are leading the effort.
"We can't wait for the politics to work itself out, in regard to Hurricane Michael. I think there is enough need today, that people need to act," said Weatherford.
With people focused on Tuesday's election and the hurricane not causing a crisis outside the Panhandle, Bense and Weatherford feel attention, even in Florida, has already started to shift away from the impacts of Michael.
Both have encouraged political candidates to donate leftover campaign funds to the effort, while Bense put up $25,000 of his own money.